Murder! Mystery! Mayhem! & CassaDark By Alex J. Cavanaugh

 Welcome, Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of a new space opera, CassaDark. He's here to discuss the elements that make his current book a fitting read for all readers even those that love a good murder mystery. Please, take it away Alex!

Murder! Mystery! Mayhem!

 

Wait a minute…my book is science fiction, space opera/adventure. Nobody is murdered. There’s no mystery to solve. Mayhem? Hmm…maybe my book does have those elements.

 

All right, there isn’t an out-and-out murder. No police or detectives are involved. But there are people being killed. In a way that is hidden to the rest of the galaxy. Many live in a world where death lurks around every corner. And people do die. Maybe not murder, but death happens. (Of course, people on the planet kill one another, so that technically is murder.)

 

Mystery…actually, for the main character, there is a lot. Bassan is a bit naïve. He believes even as he doubts. He begins to see things are not as he assumed. There are mysteries to unravel—what is the truth? So, there is a bit of mystery.

 

Now, mayhem. There is a lot of that! Bassan is sent across the galaxy. He gets dumped on a strange planet. People try to kill him. And the people he’s with. His future is completely in disarray. Dogs and cats, living together—mass hysteria! No wait, that’s Ghostbusters. But you get the idea. There is a lot of upheaval and peril, and Bassan is put through the wringer.

 

So, I guess CassaDark does have a lot of those mystery elements. Who knew?

 

Alex J. Cavanaugh works in web design and graphics, and he plays guitar in a Christian band. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is known as Ninja Captain Alex and he’s the founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

 

http://alexjcavanaugh.com

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

https://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh

 

 

CassaDark

By Alex J. Cavanaugh

 

His world is unraveling…

 

Bassan’s father is stepping down from command. His best friend almost dies when Bassan freezes. Now, he’s being sent across the galaxy to speak at an important conference. Despite saving the eleven races years ago, he’s paralyzed by fear and doubt. Could things get any worse?

Once there, new acquaintance Zendar convinces Bassan to visit his planet for a humanitarian mission. Bassan’s special connection to ancient technology is the key to saving Zendar’s people. One problem though—it’s a prisoner planet.

 

On Ugar, he discovers things aren’t so straightforward. As each secret reveals itself, the situation grows more desperate. If he can’t find the right answers, he might die along with Zendar’s people. Can Bassan summon the courage to be a hero again?

 

Released on–April 6, 2022

$16.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 226 pages

Science fiction - Adventure (FIC028010) / Space Opera (FIC028030) / Space Exploration (FIC028130)

Print ISBN 9781939844842 / Ebook ISBN 9781939844859

$4.99 Ebook available in all format

Buy Links:

iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1574189874

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0982FL3SH

Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940164947033

Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844859

Scribed – https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844859&language=0

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461762-cassadark

*****

Thanks so much, Alex, for allowing me to share your exciting news!

Well folks, have you gotten your copy yet?

My Review is HERE!

IWSG - Writing Therapy

INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Founder

ALEX J CAVANAUGH

 Question - How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

Consistently. The truly personal is hidden but it’s there. And yes, it’s helped. Writing is therapy!

The awesome co-hosts are Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, and Chemist Ken!

Don’t forget to visit the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Website

&

THE OCTOBER CHALLENGE IS HERE!

IWSG - Publishing

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

I am late, rushed and dealing with little to no Wi-Fi. My apologies.

I’ll do my best with this post and comment and then I’m on a break until October.

When I’ll be hosting the WEP’s Halloween Challenge. Can you believe it, HALLOWEEN!?

You’ll not want to miss this one!

Sign up on Oct 1^st!

Oh, and check out the last challenge and the amazing winning entries HERE!

CONGRATULATIONS!

TANYA MIRANDA

MICHELLE WALLACE

&

TOI THOMAS!

Your stories surpassed!

***

Now down to IWSG business:

Question - What publishing path are you considering/did you take, and why?

I’ve done them all, first self-publishing, when it wasn’t COOL! Not a fun time. Then traditional publishing. Not a fun time either. Buyer beware again!

So now I self-publish through Amazon. They PAY monthly, give accurate statistics and make the process EASY. There are some drawbacks to distribution, but even those are surmountable.

Good luck with what you choose! For me, it’s having the control that makes the difference. Now if I could only get better control (understanding) of the Marketing angle. I’d have it made. 😊

The awesome co-hosts are Toi Thomas, T. Powell Coltrin, M.J. Fifield, and Tara Tyler! Don’t forget to visit!

IWSG - Pitfalls

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Question - What pitfalls would you warn other writers to avoid on their publication journey?

Keep track of where you spend your advertising dollars. It’s easy to send money via PayPal on bogus websites promising the moon. Ask questions and get recommendations from other authors who’ve had positive experiences.

One of the best places to ask for advice is on the IWSG Facebook page.

The awesome co-hosts are Erika Beebe, Sandra Hoover, Susan Gourley, and Lee Lowery!

CONGRATULATIONS!

WEP – Write…Edit…Publish

For partnering with the IWSG

Starting in 2019!

Hat’s off to Denise and the rest of the team for making such a great move!

Read more about that HERE!

***

In the meantime,

have you signed on for the newest challenge?

IWSG - Stressors

Insecure Writer's Support Group

Founded by

Alex J. Cavenaugh

Question - What's harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?

The first book had six different titles until I decided. That stress began to taper off with each book. Now it’s become much more straightforward.

For secondary character names, I generally use family, but for the main characters, I stress. I want the name to fit the characteristics and to paint an instant picture of the person. So yes, after 5 novels it’s still a stressor. 

Thanks for visiting, what stresses you when writing?

The awesome co-hosts are Beverly Stowe McClure, Tyrean Martinson, Tonja Drecker, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor! Be sure to stop by and say hello.

Don’t forget the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Website!!!

***

The WEP sign-up sheet is up.

What tale will you share the June Challenge

UNRAVELED YARN?

ISWG - 2018 & Goals

IWSG

The INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP founded by

Alex J. Cavanaugh!

This month’s Question is - What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

My answer: I’m always working on a plan. Setting goals are and always has been an essential part of my life. The first thing I did this New Year’s Day was to write out a definite set of goals and a plan to achieve them.

Now it’s time to get to work!

&

Now that the news has been shared

I can shout it to the world!

My story

Cypress, Like the Tree

Placed in the IWSG Anthology!

I am THRILLED!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WRITERS WHO PLACED!

Such an exciting way to start the New Year!

Don’t forget the awesome co-hosts Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Jennifer Lane, and Rachna Chhabria! Be sure to visit and comment.

This year was a wild one, but in the end, several goals were achieved. A book was published, and we are now living on the coast with a lovely view of the ocean. A dream come true. The journey here was a bit crazy, but not all paths run straight. Still, we are blessed!

          While I was absent most of the time from blogging and social media, I did manage a few posts, and I did my best to keep up with friends. I know I’ve missed some critical changes in many lives, but I hope to catch up and will try my best to be more active this year.

          I feel that it’s important to acknowledge several of the folks that never lost faith in me this last year. Most significant is Denise Covey, my partner in crime at the WEP. I may be speaking out of turn, but the relationship that we’ve developed over the years proved invaluable this year with all the emergencies, travel plans & moves, and all the chaos that filled 2017.

          Thank you, my friend! I love you dearly!

And I value the creativity and artistic input of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim. We are now an unbeatable team! Thank you, Denise, Nila, and Olga! I am so proud to be part of such a unique writing team!

To that end, I’m happy to announce that the

The Winners of the WEP December Challenge –

 The End is the Beginning were announced today!

Please stop by and congratulate the winners!

***

          I also need to thank Susan Swiderski, Michael Di Gesu, Chrys Fey. Without them, The Snowman would not have been released in 2017. But more important than just support for the writing these amazing individuals were there when the personal got to be too much! Thank you!

          Thank you all for always being there when I needed input, editing, and hand holding!

           A special Thank You for all those who've read and commented on my blog posts. Your support has inspired my faith and keeps me striving for the possible!

May the New Year help you reach the goals you've set!

***

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

&

HAPPY READING & WRITING

IN

2018